Towamencin approves data center code update
Towamencin Township supervisors unanimously approved updated regulations governing potential data centers. The rules impose tighter setbacks, noise limits, access requirements, and energy and water capacity plans, although no data center applications have been filed.
Towamencin Township supervisors unanimously approved a second data center ordinance this year, adding restrictions intended to regulate any future facilities before developers submit applications. The updated code includes greater setbacks from homes, lower noise limits, direct access requirements, parking and buffering standards, decommissioning plans, and energy and water usage plans demonstrating that local utilities can support a facility.
The regulations were developed with input from residents, the township planning commission, the Montgomery County Planning Commission, and a joint Montgomery-Chester counties study. Township officials said the rules are intended to protect the community rather than encourage data center development, and confirmed that no applications are currently pending. Residents and supervisors continued to raise concerns about noise, generators, wildlife and environmental effects, with officials indicating that additional amendments may be considered in the future.